NOW PLAYING

Mixed reaction to Sisi's presidential bid

Opponents protest while others celebrate after former army chief declares his intent to run for president.

27 Mar 2014 09:17 GMT

There have been protests and celebrations in Egypt after the country's former defence minister, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, resigned as army chief and announced that he would stand in the upcoming presidential elections.

Sisi toppled the country's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, in a military coup last July after large protests against his rule.

Demonstrations by anti-coup activists were reported on Wednesday night in several cities, including Cairo, Helwan and Alexandria. However, the mood was celebratory in areas including the district of Cairo where Sisi was raised.